An unfortunate circumstance regarding Higher education grant scheme.

I'm hoping for some help here, but at this point, I'm not really expecting any. Here's why;
I called up my local council (Kildare) to ask them if I would qualify for a grant. I've lived away from home for past 3 years, having received no money for my parents and I turned 23 in January of this year. I'm fully independant. The guy on the other end, told me that I would definitely get it, so he sent me out the forms. I got all of my relevant forms together (p21, p60 etc...) and then rang up the Kildare Co council again, only to be told that I wouldn't get it, he told me that the guy that told me that I would get it from their offices was simply wrong and didn't know what he was talking about. I rang everywhere that had anything to do with the grant scheme and the story remained the same, I'm entitled to nothing. I had previously worked more hours per week, but it has been cut to 18 hours a week now due to the current financial climate, it just won't get me through this final year. So is there anything anyone can tell me? Any help or advice available? Because the only thing all of these places could tell me was that if I deferred for a year, then came back and finished, I would then be entitled to a grant. It's just crazy, I want to finish the degree I started..... but it looks like I can't.

snubbleste

sacramento wrote: »

...
Because the only thing all of these places could tell me was that if I deferred for a year, then came back and finished, I would then be entitled to a grant. It's just crazy, I want to finish the degree I started..... but it looks like I can't.

That's the way it is.
However, you could try filling in a change in circumstances form in the current grant application and send it in, but seeing as you did not get a grant for the last three years anmd already submitted a grant form, I doubt you'd be successful.

You could apply to a bank or family for a loan for your final year

Thanks for your reply, I haven't submitted the form yet, as I was told I wouldn't qualify, so what would be the point? I don't know many other people who managed to survive as I did on less than 16000 a year paying rent, bills, registration fees etc. I just feel like I'm being forced out of college at this point.

snubbleste

Submit the form anyway.

Most students survive on far far less than 16k a year

Well I'll submit it so, and this year it will be far less than 16k for me. Also, I don't think most of the students that survive on under 16k pay their own rent (among absolutely every other expense) without any help whatsoever from parents. Definitely in the minority.

pandamoanium

snubbleste wrote: »

Most students survive on far far less than 16k a year

+1

Sorry, I recalled my earnings incorrectly, here's what I lived on last year:
12872 (quick check of p60)
and pandamoanium, thanks for being so helpful:rolleyes:

ontour

Im sorry but I don't see why you can't apply using change of circumstances to take into account what your making this year instead? Surely its worth trying anyway? Also your not living at home so you would be classed as independent and well under the income thresholds?

Thanks for your reply ontour. I'll have to give it a go, I've got no other option. It's just hard to understand why it takes into account my parents earnings when I've nothing to do with them at all.
All helpful replies are welcome.
edit: Only saw your edit now ontour. The rules state that I must be 23 before 1st January of the year I begin college to be considered independant. If there was a break in my third level education, that would then be the starting point, but I have gone straight through since I was 19. That's why they suggest I defer for a year and then come back, I would then be eligible. Despite the fact I receive nothing from my parents, and have nothing to do with them, I am not eligible for any grant at all as far as I know.

ontour

Sorry I just realised you started college before you turned 23 so your still classed as dependent, they'l take €4000 or about that off the total as summer holiday earnings if this helps. But Id still apply anyway, best of luck with it.

Zoodlebop

16000k! What!?

Looking at my bank accounts, I got through last year on 8000 euros including rent. My folks helped me out with about a grand and a half of that. My rent was VERY cheap though (250 a month in Rathmines).

This year is set to be about a grand more expensive.

You should have read the whole thread there Zoodlebop, I got my earnings wrong, i lived on 12872, rent was 370 p/m.

Verbal_Kint

you said you turned 23 during January.

you have to be 23 by 1st Jan to apply as independent mature.

its obvious to the inspector that if you didnt get the grant last year and earned E12k that you are not independent mature once you factor in a few grand of fees.

those rules are set in stone and they wont budge on them.

good luck.